Systems and methods for improved pain relief from stimulation of thermal fibers

Abstract

The present technology includes systems and methods for treating pain by pulsing heat into a volume of tissue containing thermoreceptors. The pulsed heat may be configured to induce stimulation of thermoreceptors. The pulsed heat may also be applied at a frequency configured to induce desensitization of at least a subset of the thermoreceptors.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating pain, the method comprising:
 directing heat into a volume of tissue including thermoreceptors, wherein—
 the heat is configured to stimulate the thermoreceptors, 
 the heat comprises a heat cycle including a ramp-up phase, a hold phase, and a soak phase, 
 the ramp-up phase has a duration of about 4 seconds or less, 
 the hold phase has a duration of about 10 seconds or less, and 
 the soak phase has a duration of about 20 seconds or less. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heat is between 42 degrees and 49 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the duration of the hold phase is about 8 seconds. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the duration of the ramp-up phase is about 4 seconds. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the duration of the soak phase is about 10 seconds. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the duration of the soak phase about 10 seconds or less. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the duration of the ramp-up phase is about 4 seconds, wherein the duration of the hold phase is about 8 seconds, and wherein the duration of the soak phase is about 10 seconds. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heat is about 45 degrees Celsius during the hold phase. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein directing the heat into the volume of tissue includes applying the heat to a surface area of the tissue that is 3 square inches or less. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises applying a topical compound to a surface area of the tissue, wherein the topical compound is configured to induce desensitization of at least a subset of the thermoreceptors. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein directing the heat into the volume of tissue includes applying the heat to the surface area. 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating pain with a stimulus device positioned on a surface area of a patient, the method comprising:
 directing first heat into a volume of tissue through the surface area via a stimulus surface for a ramp-up period of about 4 seconds or less, wherein the first heat has a first temperature that increases during the ramp-up period;   after the ramp-up period, directing second heat into the volume of tissue through the surface area via the stimulus surface for a hold period of about 10 seconds or less, wherein the second heat has a second temperature that is substantially constant during the hold period; and   after the hold period, ceasing the direction of heat into the volume of tissue through the surface area via the stimulus surface for a soak period of about 20 seconds or less.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the method further comprises iteratively repeating the ramp-up period, the hold period, and the soak period. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the ramp-up period is about 4 seconds, wherein the hold period is about 8 seconds, and wherein the soak period is about 10 seconds. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the method further comprises applying a topical compound to the surface area, and wherein the topical compound is configured to induce desensitization of at least a subset of the thermoreceptors. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the surface area is a first surface area, wherein the method further comprises applying a topical compound to a second surface area of the patient adjacent the first surface area, and wherein the topical compound is configured to induce desensitization of at least a subset of the thermoreceptors. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the surface area of the patient is 3 square inches or less. 
     
     
         18 . A device for treating pain, comprising:
 a heating element having a stimulus surface, wherein the stimulus surface is configured to be placed in contact with skin of a patient, wherein the heating element is configured to direct heat through the stimulus surface into a volume of tissue beneath the skin, and wherein—
 the heat is configured to stimulate the thermoreceptors in the tissue, 
 the heat comprises a heat cycle including a ramp-up phase, a hold phase, and a soak phase, 
 the ramp-up phase has a duration of about 4 seconds or less, 
 the hold phase has a duration of about 10 seconds or less, and 
 the soak phase has a duration of about 20 seconds or less. 
   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the duration of the ramp-up phase is about 4 seconds, wherein the duration of the hold phase is about 8 seconds, and wherein the duration of the soak phase is about 10 seconds. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the heating element is configured to direct no heat through the stimulus surface into the volume of tissue during the soak phase. 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating pain, the method comprising:
 directing heat into a volume of tissue including thermoreceptors, wherein—
 the heat is configured to stimulate the thermoreceptors, 
 the heat comprises a heat cycle including a ramp-up phase, a hold phase, and a soak phase, 
 the ramp-up phase has a first duration, 
 the hold phase has a second duration, and 
 the soak phase has a third duration, wherein the third duration is less than twice as great as the first duration plus the second duration. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the second duration is greater than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the third duration is greater than 20 seconds.